November 14, 2022, prompt: Write a story that includes a lie in 99 words (no more, no less). What is the lie? It can be subtle or blatant. Who tells the lie and why? Is it an unreliable narrator? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Jobs – by Hugh W. Roberts
“How was work today?” asked my wife.
“Good,” I replied as I stuffed notes into a pair of old boxer pants at the bottom of my sock drawer. She’ll never look there.
“Are the people nice?”
“Yes.”
“Will I meet them someday? Perhaps we’ll bump into them when out?”
“Maybe.”
But they’ll never know who she is. And she can never know who they are.
I told her my new job paid well and would take me worldwide. It does both.
I may have lied about what I do, but becoming a male escort is my best job ever.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’
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32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.
More Glimpses
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This is very clever! I thought the man was a spy until we got the plot twist at the end.
I’m not sure who you are, but thank you for the great feedback.
I’m sure he enjoys his work, but he won’t be able to keep the secret from her forever. But if the money is good, maybe she won’t mind.
Who knows what she’ll do. Maybe she’ll join him or divorce him (if she finds out)?
That was a sneaky little lie.
Wasn’t it? I wonder how long he’ll get away with it?
That will be an interesting topic for your next blog post maybe?
XD
I tend to leave these flash fiction pieces as they are. But maybe I’ll come back to it in the future.
I wasn’t expecting that! Risky business there, Hugh, but a great story.
Thank you, Diana. Glad you enjoyed my piece of flash.
Marvelous!
I should sit down sometime and seriously give this sort of thing a try.
Please join us over at the Carrot Ranch. Everyone is welcome.
And I thought he was a spy. 😉😂
That made me laugh, Norah. But so good to see that my twist worked.
Always!
Clever story Hugh, always with a twist. 🙂
Thanks, Debby.
Haha! Nothing wrong with being in the service industry!
I agree, so why not be proud of it?
Naughty naughty Hugh!!
The oldest profession makes good money!
I agree, although not from experience.
Fiction? Or another sneaky peek into the shady side of Swansea living?!
Who knows? I used to live next door to a male escort, His bedroom window overlooked where I hang out the washing, but that’s another story.
Which I hope you’ll tell!!
Oh, what a tangled web we weave…
We do. And once caught in the web, there is no escape.
Oooooh, that’s delicate. Compliment, Hugh, great take!
Thank you, Erika.
You are welcome, Hugh!
Male Escort – Could that be another description for a tourist guide, Hugh? Just in case things start to unfold.
Ha, ha, yes. It could be, but he’d have a tough time explaining why his wife could not meet or join any of his customers on one of his tours, Davy.
Oh but what if she does look in the underwear drawer, Hugh? This is one of your best, subtle but descriptive!
Thanks, Terri. If she does look in that drawer, she’ll have to decide whether to steal the money or confront her husband about it. It’ll all depend on how honest she is, I guess.
Devious 😅
Good one, Hugh. As long as everybody is happy. Or thinks they’re happy. 🙂
Thanks, Liesbet. I wonder how long the happiness will last, though?
Until he finds a better partner.
Very good Mr Roberts – you have a dark side to you, don’t you? Nice work.
That dark side has been mentioned a few times. I blame it on Rod Serling and his Twilight Zone show, Paul. No wonder I’m a big fan of his writing and how he writes.